A pair of would-be robbers armed with a hammer threatened a security guard outside a Howdon shop — but only managed to snatch an empty money case.

The two men confronted the security guard outside Heron Foods on Churchill Street and after a scuffle made off with the empty box.

Police and paramedics were called to the scene but the 53-year-old man did not require any hospital treatment.

Officers are now searching for the culprits and have released descriptions in an attempt to identify them.

One was wearing grey joggers, a blue North Face jacket with grey sleeves with the hood up and was possibly wearing a Newcastle United top underneath. On his feet, he had grey and blue trainers.

The other was wearing a black jacket, black joggers and black trainers.

Appealing for witnesses, a Northumbria Police spokesman said: “At around 10am this morning police received a report that a security guard had been threatened by two men outside Heron Foods on Churchill Street in Howdon.

“One of the men was armed with a hammer and threatened the security guard before the pair made off with the money case he had been carrying.